Azzi Fudd’s Rookie Pay Gap Compared to Caitlin Clark is Absolutely Mind-Boggling 

All thanks to the newly negotiated collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, in most common parlance, rookie salaries are now fundamentally restructured. The revised pay came after the league’s rapid growth in popularity, much of which was because of stars like Clark herself. 

Ironically, Clark helped drive the surge that players like Fudd are now benefiting from financially.

Even more telling, Clark’s own salary has now jumped to over $500,000 in 2026, which would give her a much-needed boost with the new pay structure.

Still, the broader disparity remains not so different. While Fudd’s deal is historic for the WNBA, it pales in comparison to NBA rookie contracts. The top picks in NBA drafts earn upwards of $10–14 million annually.

Azzi Fudd Has a Very Personal Reunion Waiting in the WNBA

With Azzi Fudd going No. 1 in the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Wings franchise has reunited her with Paige Bueckers. Dallas recreated one of college basketball’s most dynamic duos at the professional level. 

The debate continues over Dallas’ decision to pass on alternatives like Awa Fam or Olivia Miles. However, the organization’s intent is clear: prioritize chemistry and immediate impact.

Fudd made that perspective explicit, noting that familiarity with the Wings guard’s on-court dynamics should ease her transition.

“Paige is an incredible player,” she said. “Everybody knows that. She’s someone that makes playing basketball with easy. I think just the prior experience, knowing how to play with her, play off of her, will only help going into this. So, I can’t wait, obviously, with her again, but to play with every single one of them.”

The reunion also carries added attention off the court. Their public relationship has amplified interest around the franchise, but internally, the focus remains performance-driven.